CRCNA Seeks Director of Ecclesiastical Governance

Replacing the previous position of director of Synodical Services, the Christian Reformed Church in North America is looking to hire a new senior leader with a focus on supporting and resourcing the “ecclesiastical governance” of its “assemblies—council, classis, synod, and the Council of Delegates—instead of the processes and logistics of synod and the COD,” said CRNCA general secretary Zachary King. The role will “emphasize the spiritual dimension of governance and ministry in general,” King said, reflecting the first milestone of the denomination’s ministry plan to “cultivate practices of prayer and spiritual discipline, transforming our lives and communities by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

“Our vision is to be a denomination that seeks God's face in all our ministry,” King said.

The previous role, which did include that spiritual dimension but was primarily dedicated to the operations of synod, the church’s yearly general assembly, and to the functioning of synod’s interim committee, the Council of Delegates, was first formed in 2007 and filled by Dee Recker, who retired in January 2023. Scott DeVries was appointed director of Synodical Services in November 2022. He developed cancer and died April 27, 2024, after which the Council of Delegates appointed Joel VandeWerken as interim associate director of Synodical Services to support the work of Synod 2024. King said at the time, “We will take full advantage of the seeds (of learning) from the experiences of Scott in the role,” in assessing how it might change before hiring someone new.

The position was posted Aug. 6 and will close for applications Aug. 30. King said, “There will be a search team made up of CRCNA staff, at least one COD member, and a congregational leader. We hope to get a candidate to the COD for consideration and approval at its October 2024 meeting, if possible.” The hoped-for start date would be “by or before the new year,” King said, asking denomination members to “please pray that God will provide the leader he is calling to this position.”

As with the director of Synodical Services before it, the role of director of ecclesiastical governance will provide consultation and training to CRCNA classes and their leaders. King said this emphasis is increased in the new role. “CRCNA leadership recognizes that our ecclesiastical assemblies have been and will continue to deal with weighty and difficult governance matters. Now, more than ever, these assemblies need resourcing and support to shepherd and guide the congregations that have delegated them with authority,” King said. “Good governance empowers mission and ministry. That's what this position is all about.”

The director of ecclesiastical governance will serve as the meeting officer for synod and the Council of Delegates and will be a member of the Office of General Secretary along with general secretary King and chief administrative officer Shirley De Vries. The successful candidate may be based in either the CRCNA’s Burlington, Ont., or Grand Rapids, Mich., office.